Still no FIR against cops who assaulted photographer

While taking photographs of the mob violence in Azad Maidan as part of an assignment, Kamble was brutally assaulted by SRPF jawans. The jawans also tried to destroy evidence of the riots by vandalising his camera, a Nikon D2X with a Nikon Lens 17-55mm, 2.8, with a total value of Rs 3.5 lakh.

Even though Kamble has visited Crime Branch several times, officers are yet to register an FIR in the matter. They recorded his statement and assured him that they would do the needful. But three weeks have passed since, and no officer has reverted to Kamble.

Criminal lawyer Pradeep Havnur said, “An FIR can be registered by the photographer against the officers at the police station which is in charge of law and order in the area where he was assaulted. The Special Investigation Team constituted by the Crime Branch to investigate the riots may then examine the case. However, when the time comes to actually prosecute the police officers at the trial stage, departmental sanction is required.”